Life safety lowering system for a vessel and method of operation

ABSTRACT

A safety system for transferring a load from vessel to a jetty or other surface. The system includes a rod assembly having a movable proximal end, and a distal end and is about parallel to a surface. The proximal end of the rod assembly is anchored on the vessel. A first carabiner is coupled to the distal end of the rod assembly. A first pulley is detachably coupled with the first carabiner to support movement of a passing rope. A descent control device assists in managing movement of the rope from the vessel to the surface. The descent control device is configured with a stainless steel anchor ring attached or improvised anchor point using a wire rope sling to the vessel in order to create a primary anchor point. A fourth carabiner allows a first knotting of partial first end of rope. A chair assembly is coupled to the fourth carabiner to a pre-defined distance from the first end of rope. A hook unit is configured with the fourth carabiner to allow a second knotting of the first end of the rope and is detachably coupled to secure a harness in order to safely transfer the load from the vessel to the surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a life safety lowering system, and more particularly relates to a system to convey a living being from a vessel to a jetty, dock, dolphin or other surface next to the vessel while the vessel is stationary, slowing or underway at low speed.

BACKGROUND

Landing booms typically are located close to the forecastle deck, close to the ship side or close to the “break” of the forecastle deck, on each side of a ship. Landing booms must be capable of swinging out board on their own. The bow landing booms typically swing from aft to forward.

Conventionally, when landing boom operations are finished, the crew person makes fast the landing boom so that the landing boom is ready for transit. If the landing boom is not rigged or canted correctly, there is an increased risk to the safety of the crew person. Before lowering a crew person, the landing rope must be flaked correctly on the deck, which is important to for ensuring proper function.

Prior art systems lack industry standard safety features such as passing the “whistle test” and do not provide for adequate safety of the worker under workplace safety regulations as the ropes are controlled manually by workers. Therefore, there is a need for a system to manage or control this operation in as safe a manner as possible while maintaining operational viability.

In addition, prior art systems neglect to properly and adequately ensure the crew member's safety during the evolution.

There is a need for a simplified system and method of operation to overcome the above stated problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for transferring or conveying a load from a vessel to a surface is provided substantially as shown in, and/or described in connection with, at least one of the figures.

According to embodiments illustrated herein, there is provided a system for transferring or conveying a load from a vessel to a surface. The system includes a rod assembly, a rope or ropes, a plurality of swiveling pulleys, a plurality of carabiners, a wire rope sling, a descent control device, a chair assembly, a hook unit and a rope bag unit.

The rod assembly is canted downward from the kingpost approximately 1-2 degrees to facilitate the landing boom deploying by itself under load. It has a movable proximal end and a distal end. In one embodiment, the proximal end is anchored on the vessel. The rope has a first end and a second end. The plurality of pulleys support movement and change of direction of the rope. In one embodiment, the second end of the rope passes through the plurality of pulleys.

A first carabiner is coupled to the distal end of the rod assembly. In one embodiment, a first pulley is detachably coupled to the first carabiner to support the movement of the passing rope.

A second carabiner is coupled to the proximal end of the rod assembly to allow the rope to pass there through. The wire rope sling is detachably coupled around secure points on the vessel. In one embodiment, the wire rope sling has a snap hook and a steel O-shaped ring. A third carabiner is coupled to a second pulley to redirect the rope.

In one embodiment, the wire rope sling secures the third carabiner through the steel O-shaped ring connected to the snap hook. The descent control device is configured for controlling the movement of the rope from the vessel to the surface. In an embodiment, the descent control device is coupled with a stainless steel anchor ring detachably attached to the vessel and creating a primary anchor point.

A fourth carabiner allows a first knotting of the partial first end of the rope. A Bosun's chair assembly receives the load and is coupled to the fourth carabiner at a pre-defined distance from the first end of the rope, creating a primary connection point to the harness being worn by a crewperson. The hook unit is configured with the fourth carabiner through the rope.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a load transferring system to raise and lower a load up to and down from the vessel.

In one embodiment, the hook unit allows a second knotting of the first end of the rope and is further detachably coupled to secure a harness in order to transfer the load from the vessel to the surface.

These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure may be appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the present disclosure, along with the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the various embodiments of systems, methods, and other aspects of the disclosure. Any person with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. In some examples, one element may be designed as multiple elements, or multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of one element may be implemented as an external component in another, and vice versa. Further, the elements may not be drawn to scale.

Various embodiments will hereinafter be described in accordance with the appended drawings, which are provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope in any manner, wherein similar designations denote similar elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates components used in a system for transferring a load from a vessel to a surface, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of a rod assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of a distal end of a rod assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view of a second pulley to redirect the rope, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary view of a stainless steel anchor ring, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary view of a descent control device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary view of a chair assembly, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary view of a hook unit and harness, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary view of a haul unit, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates crewperson positioned in a Bosun's chair in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is best understood with reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein. Various embodiments are discussed below with reference to the figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed descriptions given herein with respect to the figures are simply for explanatory purposes as the methods and systems may extend beyond the described embodiments. For example, the teachings presented and the needs of a particular application may yield multiple alternative and suitable approaches to implement the functionality of any detail described herein. Therefore, any approach may extend beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown.

References to “one embodiment,” “at least one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “for example,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.

It is also noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “and”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the claims, the terms “first,” “second”, and so forth are to be interpreted merely as ordinal designations they shall not be limited in themselves. Further, the use of exclusive terminology such as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of any claim element is contemplated. Also, it is contemplated that any element indicated to be optional herein may be specifically excluded from a given claim by way of a “negative” limitation. Finally, it is contemplated that any optional feature of the inventive variation(s) described herein may be set forth and claimed independently or in combination with any one or more of the features described herein.

Definitions

The following terms shall have, for the purposes of this application, the respective meanings set forth below.

The term ‘load’ as may be used herein and in the claims means personnel or crewperson or landing boom crew operating or serving aboard a ship or vessel. The landing boom crew often consists of the officer in charge of controlling the landing rope (officer holding the landing rope) or crew member controlling the swing and the landing boom swing, and the crew member to be lowered ashore. Other vessels may have different compositions of landing boom crews.

As used herein, the term ‘rod assembly’ or ‘landing boom’ may be used herein and in the claims means a long spar that extends from the mast or kingpost.

The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including”, and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The terms “connected” and “coupled” are to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening.

The recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not impose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed.

FIG. 1 illustrates components used in a system 100 for transferring or conveying a load from a vessel to a surface, in accordance with at least one embodiment. The system 100 includes a rod assembly 200 (shown in FIG. 2), a rope 102, a plurality of pulleys 104 a, 104 b, a first carabiner 106, a second carabiner 108, a wire rope sling 110, a third carabiner 112, a descent control device 114, a stainless steel anchor ring 124, a fourth carabiner 116, a chair assembly 118, a hook unit 120, a harness 142 (shown and explained in conjunction with FIG. 8), and a haul unit 900 (shown and explained in conjunction with FIG. 9). An optional rope bag unit 122 stores the rope 102 and other components when not in use.

The aforementioned components of the system 100 are designed in such a way that the selected components are easy to install and operate while providing an increased level of safety during landing boom operations.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of a rod assembly 200, in accordance with at least one embodiment. The rod assembly is canted 1-2 degrees to facilitate the automatic deployment of the boom under load. As such, it is about parallel to the surface, having a movable proximal end 202, and a distal end 204. The surface is chosen from the group consisting of a jetty, dock, dolphin or other surface next to the vessel, including land. In one embodiment the proximal end 202 is anchored on the vessel (not shown in Figures). The landing boom operations are done through the rod assembly 200.

When not in operation, the rod assembly 200 is in a stowed or ready position along with the rope 102, a plurality of pulleys 104 a, and 104 b, carabiners 106, 108, 112, and 116, the wire rope sling 110, the control device 114, the chair assembly 118, and the hook unit 120.

After transferring the load from the vessel, the rod assembly 200 is moved back to a ready position above the deck. In one embodiment, the rod assembly 200, the descent control device 114, the carabiners 106, 108, 112, and 116, the pulleys 104 a, and 104 b, and the rope 102 are assembled when in use and disassembled when not in use.

As shown in FIG. 1 the rope 102 has a first end and a second end. The plurality of pulleys 104 a and 104 b support movement and change of direction of the rope 102. In one embodiment, the second end of the rope passes through the plurality of pulleys 104 a and 104 b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second carabiner 108 is coupled to the proximal end 202 of the rod assembly 200 to allow the rope 102 to pass through. In one embodiment, rope 102 is not coupled to the middle of the rod assembly 200.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of distal end 204 of rod assembly 200, in accordance with at least one embodiment. The first carabiner 106 is coupled to the distal end 204 of the rod assembly 200. In one embodiment, a first pulley 104 a is detachably coupled to the first carabiner 106 to support the movement of the passing rope 102.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view 300 of a second pulley 104 b to redirect the rope 102, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment. The wire rope sling 110 is detachably coupled around secure points on the vessel. In one embodiment, the wire rope sling 110 has a snap hook 110 a and a steel O shaped ring 110 b.

The third carabiner 112 is coupled to a second pulley 104 b to redirect the rope 102. The location of the third carabiner 112 may vary depending on the configuration of the vessel. Once third carabiner 112 is in place, the rope 102 may be threaded and the pulley sheave secured. The rope 102 and rope bag unit 122 may then be brought to the primary anchor point. The system can be rigged forwards or backwards.

In one embodiment, the wire rope sling 110 secures the third carabiner 112 through the steel O shaped ring 110 b connected to the snap hook 110 a.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary view of a descent control device 114, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment. The descent control device 114 is for controlling the movement of the rope 102 from the vessel to the surface. In one embodiment, the control device 114 is coupled with a stainless steel anchor ring 124 (as shown in FIG. 5) detachably coupled to the vessel in order to create a primary anchor point. For instance, the rope 102 is loaded into the descent control device 114 and closes the gate to the locking position to perform a pull test on the rope 112 to make sure the descent control device 114 is loaded and operating correctly.

Further, if a stainless steel anchor ring 124 is not available, then the descent control device 114 may be coupled to any structure fixed to the vessel such as a pole, rail, cleat, or other secure anchor point. The primary anchor point may have a stainless steel anchor ring 124 bolted or welded/fixed by another means to the ship structure. In this case, the descent control device 114 may be coupled directly to the anchor ring with a suitable connector. Alternatively, an anchor point may be improvised using a wire rope sling 110 and a suitable connector.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary view of a chair assembly 118, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment. The fourth carabiner 116 allows the first knotting 130 of the partial first end of the rope 102. The chair assembly 118 receives the load (shown in FIG. 8), coupled to the fourth carabiner 116 (102 slack termination to double action hook attached to the harness 142) at a pre-defined distance from the first end of the rope 102. Examples of the chair assembly 118 is a Bosun's chair or boatswain's chair to be used to suspend a person wearing harness 142 from rope 102 to perform work aloft or to be lowered. Other chairs are also considered.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary view of a hook unit 120, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment. The hook unit 120 is coupled to the fourth carabiner 116 through the rope 102. In one embodiment, the hook unit 120 allows a second knotting 128 of the first end of the rope 102 and is further detachably coupled to secure a harness 142 in order to transfer the load 140 (not shown in FIG. 8) from the vessel to the surface. Examples of the hook unit 120 include, but are not limited to, an MGO hook.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary view of a mechanical rope haul device 900, in accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment. The haul device 900 converts the rope into a 3 to 1 haul system which provides the mechanical advantage required by crewpersons on the deck to haul the load back to the deck should it be required (see load 140 as shown in FIG. 8). It is deployed to haul the load back to the deck of the ship in the eventuality that hauling back to the deck is determined to be a suitable rescue technique of the crewperson being lowered.

FIG. 20 illustrates a crewperson safely positioned in Bosun's chair 118 during lowering operations in one embodiment of the present invention.

For example, returning to the tip of the landing boom area and attach the Bosun's chair to the fourth carabiner 116 approximately six feet of the rope. The fourth carabiner 116 should face down and secure the screw locking gate of the fourth carabiner 116 check to make sure the MGO hook 120 on the end of the rope 102 is properly secured in the second knot 128 and does not put the rope in tension back to the Bosun's chair connection point at knot 113 and at carabiner 116.

Prior to operating the system 100, a system safety check is preferably performed to ensure proper assembly and operation of the components. This secondary check is a redundant safety check and is to be performed by a competent person trained in the setup and use of the system. In one embodiment, the person performing the safety check is not to be the same person who initially rigged the components.

Thereafter, personnel check all the anchor points for proper installation and orientation and check that all the carabiner gates are oriented properly and locked using a touch check. Personnel then check the connection points to the Bosun's chair and the MGO Hook. Further one should conduct a harness and PPE check and conduct a pull test on the descent control device.

Lastly, it is recommended to perform a trial run on/above the deck to verify all components are operating properly. If there are any deficiencies found during the safety check, they must be corrected immediately by the crewperson conducting the check.

The system operations are described below: when approaching the landing area, a hazard assessment shall take place to ensure the safety of the crewman being lowered. Hazards include weather conditions, human factors, and manmade natural barriers and may include others, not defined herein.

The landing boom lowering system should not be left in place when not in use as it is a life safety system. In order to prolong the life of the life safety system and to maintain the highest level of safety, it is assembled for use and disassembled when not in use during long periods of transit when not required to be operational.

The rope 102 is loaded into the descent control device 114 and the face place is locked in place. The pull check is performed to ensure proper loading and operation of the descent control device 114.

To operate the descent control device 114 in lowering mode, the user has to keep the brake hand in place and squeeze the rope while pulling back on the handle with the other hand gently, relax the grip on the brake hand to allow the rope to pay through or increase the grip strength to slow the lowering of the load. When the load is approximately eight feet or less from the surface, the user increases the grip on the rope to slow the lowering as the load approaches the surface.

The MGO hook connects to the “ventral D ring” of the harness 142 with the point facing out. The crewman sits comfortably in the Bosun's chair and may hold on to the two front webbing straps, looking down to estimate the approximate landing area on the surface.

Thereafter, begin the disconnection of the MGO hook safety line when the user is approximately eight feet or less from the landing area.

Further, to lower a second crewman, the Bosun's chair must be pulled back to the vessel or ship's deck, open the face plate on the descent control device to remove the rope. Pull the chair up to the deck hand over hand on the rope and reload the device so it is ready for the second (or subsequent) lower.

Furthermore, turn the device to the side and then operate the safety latch and open the face plate. Add a bight to the rope carefully and close the face plate fully so that safety latch closes around the anchor carabiner, repeat the pull test after closing the face place to ensure the proper loading of the device.

Thus the present system 100 provides an increased level of control over the lowering or transferring operation while significantly improving the level of safety during the operation. In an embodiment, the present invention relates to the load transferring system to raise and lower load up to and down from the vessel.

Some regulations require ships of more than 50 meter in overall length to be equipped with at least one landing boom on each side. These regulations recommend that a safe working load (SWL) of minimum 100 kilograms be used for the landing booms.

Further, it is important that the landing booms be maintained in good working condition because the lives of the crew members being landed depend on such maintenance.

Any doubtful items of equipment are preferably changed and replaced immediately. Landing booms must be capable of swinging outboard on their own. To facilitate this, the boom is usually canted downward one to two degrees. An opening in the deck railing or bulwark may be required if other suitable methods or arrangements are unavailable.

No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. There is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms enclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A safety system for transferring a load from a vessel to a surface, the safety system comprising: a rod assembly about parallel to the surface having a movable proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is anchored on the vessel; a rope having a first end, and a second end; a plurality of pulleys to support movement and change of direction of the rope, wherein the second end of the rope passes through the plurality of pulleys; a first carabiner coupled to the distal end of the rod assembly, wherein a first pulley of the plurality of pulleys is detachably coupled to the first carabiner to support the movement of the passing rope; a second carabiner coupled to the proximal end of the rod assembly to allow the rope to pass there through; a wire rope sling detachably coupled around one or more secure points on the vessel, wherein the wire rope sling has a snap hook and a steel O shaped ring; a third carabiner coupled to a second pulley of the plurality of pulleys to redirect the rope, wherein the wire rope sling secures the third carabiner through the steel O shaped ring connected to the snap hook; a descent control device for controlling the movement of the rope from the vessel to the surface, wherein the descent control device is coupled to a primary anchor point; a fourth carabiner to allow a first knotting of the partial first end of the rope; a chair assembly to receive the load, and coupled to the fourth carabiner to a pre-defined distance from the first end of the rope; and a hook unit configured with the fourth carabiner through the rope, wherein the hook unit allows a second knotting of the first end of the rope and is further detachably coupled to secure a harness in order to transfer the load from the vessel to the surface.
 2. The safety system according to claim 1, further including a rope bag unit to store the rope and other accessories.
 3. The safety system according to claim 1, further including a haul device to control the transfer of the load, the haul device configured to raise the load and return the load to the deck.
 4. The safety system according to claim 1, wherein the rod assembly is in a stowed position along with the rope, plurality of pulleys, carabiners, the wire rope sling, the descent control device, the chair assembly, and the hook unit.
 5. The safety system according to claim 1, wherein the rod assembly is moved back to the original or ready position after transferring the load from the vessel.
 6. The safety system according to claim 1, wherein the rod assembly, the descent control device, the carabiner, the plurality of pulleys, and the rope are assembled when in use and disassembled when not in use.
 7. The safety system according to claim 1, wherein the load is a person.
 8. The use of the safety system of claim 1 on a vessel.
 9. A method of transferring a load from a vessel to a surface with a safety system, the safety system comprising: a rod assembly about parallel to the surface having a movable proximal end, and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is anchored on the vessel; a rope having a first end, and a second end; a plurality of pulleys to support movement and change of direction of the rope, wherein the second end of the rope passes through the plurality of pulleys; a first carabiner coupled to the distal end of the rod assembly, wherein a first pulley of the plurality of pulleys is detachably coupled to the first carabiner to support the movement of the passing rope; a second carabiner coupled to the proximal end of the rod assembly to allow the rope to pass there through; a wire rope sling detachably coupled around one or more secure points on the vessel, wherein the wire rope sling has a snap hook and a steel O shaped ring; a third carabiner coupled to a second pulley of the plurality of pulleys to redirect the rope, wherein the wire rope sling secures the third carabiner through the steel O shaped ring connected to the snap hook; a descent control device for controlling the movement of the rope from the vessel to the surface, wherein the descent control device is coupled to a primary anchor point; a fourth carabiner to allow a first knotting of the partial first end of the rope; a chair assembly to receive the load, and coupled to the fourth carabiner to a pre-defined distance from the first end of the rope; and a hook unit configured with the fourth carabiner through the rope, wherein the hook unit allows a second knotting of the first end of the rope and is further detachably coupled to secure a harness in order to transfer the load from the vessel to the surface. 